Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-06-11
A SUBURB WITH A HISTORY.
Brooks and Its Interesting Associa-
lions I'm the Pa>r.
WHERE DAVID BURNS rs Br.IEp-rHE OLD BROOKS
MANSIoN-A STORY OF PRESIDENT TyLER--FoRT
TOTEM AND THE HOME OF MRS KATE CHASE

Correspondence of The EVENING STAR
BROOKS ID. c.. June q.
Much has been written about Washington and
Its Interesting suburbs. The important hist orr an
and enterprisng journalist have pretty thoroughly
CLEANED the field OF historical Information, and
left little to be said or those who dwelt here when
Pennsylvania avenue was called by John Ran iolph
the ''Serbonian bog" and when old David Burns
lived In the little barn-rooed house which stands
and makes connecting link between the ma gniii-
cent washington OF the present and the eiabryo
capital that, In the DAYS OF long ago. was the sub
lect OF many witty writings OF foreign diplomats.
Yet few knew that the remains OF old Burns who
gave much land toward building the capital. lie on
q farm three miles from the city in utter neglect.
On hill where tall pines and cedars make a shady
retreat rom the sun are three marble slabs from
under which the brick supports have long since
Iallen. IheSe SLABS contain the names OF David
Burns, who died In 1900, his WIFE, who died I'm
1907, and their son, "a youth amiable and intelli-
gent, who promised fair 10 become an honor 10 his
friends and an ornament 10 his country who
died In 11tt2. They are all there together over
Swallowed by the trees through the interiaclng
branches OF which the beautiful dome OF the Cap.
itol can be seen cleaning In the distance
Almost within stones throw OF the silent
home OF the Burns family is an old house which
was once grand mansion that opened wide its
doors TO not a few OF note, who have long since
joined the great majority. 1t is a large square
building with plaster-covered brick walls, that In
spots show the rudenesS OF the elements:
granite porch, with futed columns supporting the
top, which is composed OF a single slab OF this
iafSc NlfluOWS ana doors carved In a
variety OF beautiful patterns The outer archtec-
ture is plain, but inside many quaint carvings
and oid.time decorations A wide passage, from
which rises grand staircase, runs the entire
length OF the house, and on either side are the
capacious rooms characteristic or Old Southern
homes.
one could not wish for pleasanter summer res
idence than this. Though time has laid his hand
heavily on the Old mansion, nature has come To the
rescue, and on all sides Trees OF different varieties
empower the place in verdant foliage. Here are
the oaks Spanish white and magno!ia> hndens,
walnuts, ashes, beaches, tulip-poplars, aslens,
elmS catalpaS, birches cedars pecanS, c0iIeeS,
spruces, paw-paws, gums naples, sugar and
other, and numerous fruit trees. Pretty lawns
ana walks leading amidst odorous flowers, COM
country places In the district The founder OF
TINS place was Col Jehiel Brooks-now deceased
VINO spent the greater part OF his ninety one years
here. He was born at 81. Adams, VI, grew
up In Ohio, where he studied law, was an officer
under Andrew jackson. from whom, after Jack
son had become President, he received appoint
ment as Indian agent in Louisiana, and came TO
Washington when many Of the now era I'd tho
roughfares were adorned simply by the prolific
school, tall, and OF a tine presence, with a mind
though aged, bright and scintilatlng with
VIII. often have 1 listened TO him with
pleasure, for he was page from the past
Astounding In "reminiscences OF Clay. Calhoun
webster. John Randolph, Davy Crockett. and
Others whose names have become historical. he
entertained in this Old Louise the lawmakers or
the Old regime. President Tyler was a frequent
visitor and made himself thoroughly at home
throwing Oh the cares OF ONCE ana becoming the
ordinary citizen; and indeed, did this Presidents
simplicity carry him 10 such an extent that on
one occasion 1t came near getting him into ludi-
crous position. II was a fine day, and Mr.. Tyler
visiting at the Brooks manson was abandoning
himself to the delights or outdoor country life,
entering fully into the spirit OF It's freedom. While
Congressman called. After receiving his visitors
Col. Brooks went in search or the President and
found him sitting in a wheeIbarrow, with pretty
girl, a relative OF the family, pushing him about
the grounds.
"Mr. President" said the colonel, "a party OF
gentlemen are at the house who wish to see you. :"
Jumping from the rude vehicle, Mr.. Tyler eX-
claimed:
"Did they see me-"
Like many OF the old District farms, this place
has passed out OF the hands OF the original own
erS, becoming the property of individuals who
will sell IT for building purposes, after laying I OF
In streets and avenues. Soon the quiet that sur
rounds old Burns viii be broken by the sound OF
the wheels OF progress. This is an interesting
neighborho0d- Here is the property purchased Tor
the site OF the proposed catholic university v,
Astounding in grassy hills, wide lawns, fine trees,
beautiful flowers and a picturesque house. Not
far away Is the old mansion, built by Chief JUS
tice Chase overlooking the city from its elevated
point. MIS- Kate Chase is living there, spending
her time identifying the grounds and otherwise
improving her valuable property. Fort Totten
Is close by located on the top OF high hill There
Is nothing remaining or the tort TO repay one for
the climb necessary 70 reach the earthwork. but a
lover or the beautiful in nature will not be dis
appointed. Stretching away before the sight are
verdant hills and valleys dotted with rarmhouSes
that peep through cone-shaped cedars growing no
where so prettily as In the District or COLUMBIA;
to the northwest the beautiful Rock Creek Gene
terry is seen with its marble shafts cleaning
through brght-green foliage, marking the spot
where many OF the old citizens OF Washington are
sleeping their last Sleep to the northeast the hills
OF Maryland and the red-brick walls or the Agr1-
cultural College, where the youth OF Maryland are
taught to till the sell, come to view, and the eye
sight ranges over the famous old dueilng ground
where, in 1920, Commodore Decatur fell 10y the
hand OF Commodore Barron; to the southeast is
nFf no nj % nf inb lla
Potomac can be seen. sllvery stream flowing be-
yOnd the capital, where the silent ooel1sk LIFTS It's
head heavenward and keeps watch over the
Queenly city. EAsrUs.